Thursday 17 December, 2009

Special Report

By Charles Gardner

At a time when billions of people are celebrating the coming of light into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, a dark evil is threatening to engulf the very place of his birth and there is a need to sound the alarm.

But as we were reminded in a Christmas card from the staff at the Jews for Jesus organisation, the baby born at Bethlehem is the only hope for peace in the Middle East.

And as staff member Alison Barnett writes, Jewish families the world over are also celebrating light with the feast of Hannukah, dedicated to the time God saved them from the marauding Syrian emperor Antiochus Epiphanes when the menorah (seven-branched candlestick) miraculously burned for eight days despite having only enough oil for one day.

The emperor invaded Jerusalem in 168BC, plundering the temple, pillaging and killing. His worst outrage was to erect a statue of the Greek god Zeus Olympus in the Jewish temple, and to sacrifice a pig upon the altar. But the Jews fought back at the instigation of the Maccabee family and, when triumphant, rededicated the temple to God – Hannukah means ‘dedication’.

Today we have an even greater threat to Israel in the form of Iran who, in defiance of America and most of the civilised world, has announced that not only will it continue its nuclear programme, but plans to expand it with the building of an additional ten uranium enrichment plants.

At the same time Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to reiterate his threats to destroy Israel! His country’s nuclear ambitions are thus not only a direct threat to Israel, but also to the whole of the Middle East and to world peace itself.

As Michael Evans of the Jerusalem Prayer Team* says: “Rather than placing this enriched uranium in traditional nuclear missiles, which can easily be traced back to their source, Iran is likely to distribute this material through the terrorist networks it sponsors – Hamas and Hezbollah – and urge them to use it as so-called ‘dirty bombs’ against civilian populations in Israel and America.

“To the radical Islamic extremists running Iran, the death of hundreds of thousands of innocents is a small price to pay for uniting the world under Sharia Law (a strict Muslim code) and Islamic rule.

“There is no question that they will use their nuclear programme for military purposes. I have been briefed by top Israeli and American intelligence and military experts on this subject, and I can tell you today that they are very worried by this threat.”

Whatever happens, the major powers need to act with great urgency by enforcing strong financial and trade sanctions. Otherwise it may be too late because if Israel is forced to act pre-emptively, it could lead to a prolonged conflict provoking the launch of some 40,000 rockets from Lebanon and Gaza in a counter-attack that would see much loss of life on both sides.

There is speculation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received some level of American approval for military action against Iran if they continue to defy international demands to halt their nuclear programme. But the price of any such co-operation could well be an imposed peace deal with the Palestinians.

Members of Christian Friends of Israel are planning to lobby Parliament on the urgency of this matter on January 20.

Meanwhile there is the ever present threat of war from Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border. Consistent reports of an imminent war have been received by informed sources who say that a new cabinet in Lebanon has declared Hezbollah an authorised armed force to battle against Israel. “That means that if we go to war against Hezbollah we are going to war against Lebanon,” the sources added.

A German-owned cargo ship carrying a huge Iranian arms shipment (apparently destined for Hezbollah forces in south Lebanon) was intercepted off the Cyprus coast by Israeli naval vessels acting on information provided by the United States.
The massive weapons cache, including rockets capable of hitting most of Israel, was later displayed at the port of Ashdod for inspection by foreign diplomats.

The spectre of Armageddon looms at the very time the world is focusing on the coming of the ‘Prince of Peace’, so-called by the ancient Jewish prophet Isaiah when he foretold how, at a time when people are walking in darkness, they would see “a great light”, going on to announce triumphantly: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Armageddon is a reality; there will come a time, possibly not far away, when the nations of the earth will clash in a catastrophic battle on the plains of Megiddo in Israel – the Bible makes this clear. But then the Messiah will return in power and great glory to put an end to war and usher in a thousand-year reign of absolute peace.

Alison Barnett, continuing her explanation of the feast commemorating the miraculous burning of the menorah for eight days, said: “That is why each year we kindle our lamps, one light for each of the eight nights,” adding: “The Hannukah Menorah has nine branches and we light eight of the branches with the ninth candle, the shammas or servant candle. The light of the menorah reminds us of our Messiah Jesus, who claimed to be the light of the world and, in the shammas candle, we see a picture of Jesus, of whom the Apostle John said: ‘The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.’

“We can’t help but see the connection between the light of Hannukah and the light that pierced the darkness when Yeshua (Jesus) was born. During this Hannukah and Christmas season, let us remember that the light of the world, the Servant King, has come into the world to bring hope and life to all who believe.”

Sadly, some Orthodox Jews, like the Pharisees of old failing to recognise Jesus as their Messiah, are acting against those of their race who do – known worldwide as Messianic believers. A ruling on a lawsuit against a rabbi who presided over a riot on a fellowship in Beersheva is expected any day now. And a young boy called Ami Ortiz was terribly injured by a bomb which arrived at his home in the form of a ‘gift’ to celebrate the feast of Purim, marking the Jews’ deliverance from annihilation by the Persian (Iranian) king through Queen Esther.

As Jesus was misunderstood, so are his followers. But he is the light of the world, and will bring peace on earth. That does not, however, justify indifference and lack of action on the part of our politicians who need unequivocally to demonstrate their support for Israel in defending itself against state-sponsored terrorism at this dangerous time.

_{*A movement supporting Israel with prayer, information and action – especially in helping the poor.}

Photo: Shlomit Wolf